Oil-change recording device



Patented Oct. 2, 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANCIS A. COOK, OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

OIL-CHANGE RECORDING DEVICE.

Application filed October 11, 1926. Serial No. 140,837.-

My invention relates to an 01l-change recording device for recording the mileage corresponding with the speedometer of the automobile when the oil is to be changed, although my device is not necessarily limited to the scope mentioned.

The objects of my invention are: first, to provide a device of this class which may be readily mounted on the instrument board of an automobile or at any other convenient location thereon for readily indicating to the operator when the oil of the engine is to be changed, or when some other duty is to be performed on the automobile; second, to provide a device of this class which cannot be readily changed by accident so that incorrect data will be recorded, and one which cannot be readily interfered with by children; third, to provide a device of this class, the reading of which may be readily changed by shifting and rotating a change spindle; fourth, to provide a novelly constructed device of this class; and, fifth, to provide a device of this class which is particularly'simple and economical of construction, durable, reliable, easy to operate and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in View, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the ap- -pended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of my device; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view thereof taken at 22 of Fig. 1, showing certain parts and portions in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 3 is a fragi'nentary sectional view thereof takenthrough 3-3 of Fig. 1; F ig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a slightly modified form of construction of my device, showing certain parts and portions thereof broken away and in section to facilitate the illustration; and Fig. 5 is transverse sectional View of the device shown in Fig. 4 with thesection taken through 55 of Fig. 4.

Like characters of reference refer to sinnlar parts and portions throughout the different views of the drawings.

The casing 1, securing ring 2, spindle 3, drums 4, gears 5, springs 6, guide rod 7,

" erably of substantially rectangular construction, except at its rear side, and is provided at its front side with a large flange 1 for se curing the same to the instrument board of an automobile, the flange being preferably held in position by a retaining ring 2, as shown in Fig. 2.

Extending transversely through the casing 1 in a horizontal direction and parallel with the front face of the casing, is a fixed spindle 3 on which are rotatably mounted a plurality of drums 4 at the outer peripheries of which are provided numerals ranging in order from zero to nine. At one side of each drum is secured a gear 5 for supporting the drum and for rotating the same a predetermined part of a circle. To the wall of the casing 1, preferably above the gears 5, are secured a multiplicity of leaf springs 6, one for each gear 5. The free ends of said springs are adapted to extend between the teeth of the gear to prevent the gears, and therefore, the drums from rotating, except when the tension of the springs is overcome.

Below the drums and gears and preferably to one side of the direct vertical line from their axes, is mounted aiguide rod 7 which is preferably fixed relative to the casing and extends parallel to the spindle 3. On the guide rod 7 is reciprocally mounted a slide 8 in which is reciprocally and rotatably mounted a spindle 9, said spindle being preferably in line with the axis of the shaft 3. At the end of the spindle 9, extending toward the spindle 3 is mounted a pinion 10 which is adapted to mesh with the gears 5. At the outer end of the spindle 9 is provided a knob 11 for rotating the pinion 10.

In the front wall of the casingl is provided a long horizontal opening 1 opposite the drums 4 for viewing the numerals on said drum. Over said opening and preferably over the whole outer face of the casing 1, is positioned a transparent glass plate 12 which is retained in position thereon by a retaining ring 13, or any other suitable means.

In order to record the mileage of the automobile when the oil in the crank case of the engine is to be changed, or when recording any other mileage, or data, the spindle 9 is shifted opposite the desired drum and shifted upwardly until the teeth of the pinion 1O engage with the teeth of the gear 5; the spindle 9 is then rotated in the required direction against the action of the springs (S, and then released.

In the modified form of construction, shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the drums 4 are not mounted on a shaft or spindle but are loosely mounted in a large cylindrical recess '1" in the casing, as shown best in Fig. 5; The forward side 'of the cylindrical recess is provided with a long horizontal slot 1 for viewing the numerals also provided at the peripheral face of the drums i. The drums 4, in this modified form of construction, are provided with internal gears 5 which are adapted to be engaged and driven by a longitudinally shiftable pinion 10 mounted on a spindle 9 which is shiftable longitudinally through the interiors of the drums and parallel with their axes of rotation. The teeth of the pinion 10 and of the gears 5 are preferably beveled or chainfered at their opposite ends to facilitate the shifting of the pinion 10 and the engagement thereof with the teeth of the gears 5, as shown in Fig. 4.

In this modified form of construction, the drums are also prevented from being rotated readil b inde endent s )rin means 6 which I C may be supported on a bar 14: extending through the interiors of the drums and supported at the ends on the side walls of the casing.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, and a certain modification thereof. I do notwish to be limited to this particular. construction, combination and arrangement, .nor to the modification, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: f y

l. Ina device of the class described, a casing provided with an opening at its front side, a spindle mounted in said casing in line with said opening, a plurality of drums mounted on said spindle and provided with gear teeth near their corresponding edges,

said drums being provided on their outer faces with recording numerals, a slide reciprocally mounted adjacent said drums and in line therewith, a spindle reciprocally mounted in said slide and extending toward the axis of said first mentioned spindle, a pinion mounted at the inner end of said last mentioned spindle and adapted to engage the gear teeth of said drums, and a knob provided at the opposite end of said last mentioned spindle.

2. In a device of the class described, a casing provided with an opening at its front side, a spindle mounted in said casing in line with said opening, a plurality of drums mounted on said spindle and provided with gear teeth near their corresponding edges, saiddrums being provided on their outer faces with recording numerals, a slide reciprocally mounted adjacent said drums and in line therewith, a spindle reciprocally mounted in said slide and extending toward the axis of said first mentioned spindle. a pinion mounted at the inner end of said last mentioned spindle and adapted to engage the gear teeth of said drums, and a knob provided at the opposite end of said last mentioned spindle, said last mentioned spindle extending outwardly through a longitudinal slot in said casing.

3. In a device of the class described, a ca sing provided with an opening at its front side, a spindle mounted in said casing in line with 'said opening, a plurality of drums mounted on said spindle and provided with gear teeth near their corresponding edges, said drums being provided on their outer faces with recording numerals, a slide reciprocally mounted adjacent said drums and in line therewith, a spindle reciprocally mounted in said slide and extending toward the axis of said first mentioned spindle, a pinion mounted at the inner end of said last mentioned spindle and adapted to engage the gear teeth of said drums. a knob provided at the opposite end of said last mentioned spindle. and a plurality of leaf springs mounted within said casing, there being provided one spring for the gear teeth of each drum to prevent rotation of the same.

In testimony whereof, I have'hereunto set my hand at San Diego, California, this 25th day of September, 1926.

FRANCIS A. COOK. 

